g.r.i.n.d.

so it's not about fame and fortune,

it's about believing and believing in yourself,

and understanding that this life is, it's life,

it's Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,

and Happiness is not about getting what you want all the time,

it's about loving what you have,

so Get Ready It's a New Day.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

- Charles Swindoll

in my best dress, fearless.

Be fearless. If you make only one resolution this year, let it be to live boldly. You control this moment. Rather than cautiously test the water, dive straight into life with freeing abandon. Imagine the person you wanna be and the life you wanna live, then simply commit to them. Believe in yourself. Embrace your beauty. Discover a new passion. And wherever you go, don't be afraid to make a splash. 

- SELF magazine

hide yo kids, hide yo wife.

take my hand, and we'll make it i swear.

When my dad found out he was sick about two years ago, our community was SO supportive for our family. One day when they knew nobody would be home, they brought those flowers and made them into a shape of a heart in our backyard (see pic). They also had all our friends write us notes telling us how much they are praying for us and our there for us. It definitely let us know that we could get through this and had the whole community behind us 100%.

Little instances like this where someone goes out of their way for you is amazing. It means way more to the person than they think it will. Try to go out of your way for someone who needs an extra boost or needs support. You never know how much it will affect them. Also, those who are maybe going through a challenging time- know that you have more people there for you than you think, no matter what! Even if there is nobody at your school or community who you feel like you can talk to, know that I am here! I know how hard it feels thinking you have nobody to talk to; nobody should feel that way! My blog and I personally here for support, advice, to listen, anythingg!

YOU CAN DO IT.

You are stronger than you think.

What doesn't kill you make you stronger.

You are amazing-- just the way you are.

You are made to do amazing things.

You are loveable and worthy of being loved, no matter what.

my life be like ooooh ahhhhh.

Last night, a couple of my friends and I went to a local store and met Dave from The Buried Life. He is so amazing and inspirational. There weren't that many people there, so everyone who was there got to talk to him, take a picture with him, get his autograph, etc. My friends and I told him about our classmate and friend, Patrick, who had a brain anuerysm back in October and is still recuperating in the hospital. It is going to be a long road to recovery, but his story of staying strong inspires us all. Also, I told him how before I die, I want to isnpire people and help those going through a hard time. I told him how when my dad was sick, I could never find something to relate to or inspire me, so I decided to make this blog to help those who are in the situation I was in. When we all talked to him, he seemed genuinely interested and I could tell that he cared about what we were saying. It made us all so happy. I know he's busy so I don't know if he actually will, but he said he'd check out my blog which is so nice and awesome of him! The video below is Dave sending his best wishes to our friend, Patrick.

oh christmas lights, keep shining on.

rub-a-dub-dub.

yeah everything is alright.

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself; I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it."

- Groucho Marx

be the change you want to see in yourself.

Yesterday I realized that I overthink/overanalyze everything too much. I make things too big of a deal in my head and end up wasting time getting worked up over something that isn't worth it. I'm going to start trying to just live in the moment and not to worry about anything except what is going on right now. Life is short, and I don't want to spend it thinking about pointless and unimportant worries or insecurities. I need to start appreciating the present and the positive aspects of my life.

FOUR TIPS TO LIVING IN THE MOMENT:

First, be conscious of what you are thinking. Make a mental note whenever you find yourself focusing on something negative. Are there certain things that come up more than other things? Most likely, your negative feelings are based in something from your past, or something you fear in your future.

Second, write down on a piece of paper, some of the negative thoughts that are coming up more than others. Just try for two or three right now, you don’t want to be overwhelmed. If in a few days, you find that this exercise was helpful, then by all means, go back and work on a few more issues. Just take it slow, no rush, no pressure.

Third, look at these negative thoughts for a minute. The ones that are from your past, even if it was just yesterday, put a “P” next to them. The ones that are worries or fears of something in your future, even if it is tomorrow, mark with an “F”.

Forth, take some time to “brain-storm” with these thoughts. Are they things that are totally out of your control? Or something from your past, that there is no way to change? Put a line through any of those types of thoughts. Anything still on the paper, take some time to jot down different ideas of how you might reconcile the issue. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Be as brief or as detailed with this as you would like to be.

This process is about awareness, nothing more, nothing less. You need to be “aware” of your thoughts, not just let them run wildly in your head. This is the first step to living in the present moment. Even if you are only “in the moment”, for a few minutes a day, that is better than not at all. So now, when these thoughts come into your head, stop yourself from letting them bother you, let them go. Doing this should be easy, since you are now aware of them, and know what you can control and what you cant. Now you can replace those thoughts, with the things that right now (the present moment), you are grateful for. Just be at peace with this moment, and with yourself.

Now, think about this. The only moment in which we can truly be happy, is the present moment. The only moment that we have control of, is the present moment. So let go of the negative thoughts, and be happy now! Because if not now, then when?

when are you going to realize that you can do whatever you want?

let the life that you live be all that you need.

She's fine most of the time
She takes her days with a smile
Moves like a dancer in light
Spinning around to the sound
But sometimes she falls down

Breathe, just breathe
Take the world off your shoulders and put it on meBreathe, just breathe
Let the life that you live be all that you needShe likes New York at night
She dreams of running away
Shine on bright like the sun
And even the sky turns gray
I need you to hear me say
I need you to hear me say

Breathe, just breathe
Take the world off your shoulders, put it on me
Breathe, just breathe
Let the life that you live be all that you need

Let go of our fear, let go of our doubt
Let go of the ones who try to put you downYou're gonna be fine, don't hold it inside
If you hurt right now then let it all come outBreathe, just breathe
Take the world off your shoulders, put it on me
Breathe, just breathe
Let the life that you live be all that you need

Breathe, just breathe
Take the world off your shoulders, put it on me
Breathe, just breathe
Let the life that you live be all that you need

Let go of our fear, let go of our doubt
(Let the life that you live be all that you need)
Let go of our fear, let go of our doubt
(Take the world off your shoulders, put it on me)

move along.

"love yourself. if you don't, how can you expect anyone to love you?"

A couple years ago, I thought that I needed to be loud, outgoing, and talkative for people to want to talk to me/be my friend. I put pressure on myself to be someone that I really wasn't. I would get angry and disappointed when I'd not talk enough or not initiate enough conversations as I wanted myself to. I now realize that the only thing I need to be is myself, and to be confident about it. I see that people appreciate me for who I am. If someone makes me think that I need to change, then they aren't worth it. It's important to accept yourself for who you are, because if you don't, you'll be at battle with yourself forever. Nobody will see how amazing you are if you don't see it first. Everyone is amazing not for what they do or how they are, but just because they are. Everyone, no matter who, is worth love and respect. To get it, though, they must see it in themselves and give it to themselves first.



give a little bit.

Little surprises and thoughtfulness are always what get me through the day.  A lot of the time, the people probably don't even know the impact that they are making.  It could be anything from a small compliment to a friend telling me how much I mean to her.  Today and yesterday, I've gotten candy in my locker from a "secret santa".  I'm not involved in any secret santa exchanges where we've given our locker combinations, so I have no idea who it could be.  I can only think of two, maybe three, people who know my combination, and these people read this, so I want to express how much it means to me.  It makes my day opening my locker and finding a little treat and knowing someone went out and got it just for me.  In 8th grade, two of my friends were my "secret admirer" and brought me candy and small gifts for Valentine's Day.  I'll never forget that.  Take time out of your day to impact someone.  Step out of your routine of just going through the motions.  Make someone's day.  Go and put your love into action.

the abc's of genuine happiness.

Accept your reality.

Be present. Be bold.

Create something exciting.

Drink plenty of water. Dance.

Exercise daily. Eat fresh foods.

Feel your emotions. Face fear.

 Go outside and observe nature. Give.

Hug often. Help others.

Ignite your passions.

Jump through your comfort zone.

Kiss passionately. Keep looking forward.

Laugh. Love. Learn to let go.

Meditate daily. Make goals.

Never give up on what you want.

Own a pet. Observe beauty.

Pray. Paint. Play an instrument.

Quit a bad habit. Quiet your mind.

Read. Relax. Reinvent yourself.

Smile. Sleep. Simplify.

Take power naps. Talk wisely.

Unleash your strengths.

Vent. Visualize your dreams.

Walk. Write. Watch the sun set.

Xerox your smiling face.

Yell less. Yield to your thoughts.

Zap negativity.

city of love.

i will be with you in the fire and i will be with you in the cloud.

Pack nothing.

Bring only your determination to serve

and your willingness to be free.

Don't wait for the bread to rise.

Take nourishment for the journey,

but eat standing, be ready

to move at a moment's notice.

Do not hesitate to leave

your old ways behind —

fear, silence, submission.

Only surrender to the need

of the time — to love

justice and walk humbly

with your God.

Do not take time

to explain to the neighbors.

Tell only a few trusted

friends and family members.

Then begin quickly,

before you have time

to sink back into

the old slavery.

Set out in the dark.

I will send fire

to warm and encourage you.

I will be with you in the fire

and I will be with you in the cloud.

You will learn to eat new food

and find refuge in new places.

I will give you dreams in the desert

to guide you safely to that place

you have not yet seen.

The stories you tell

one another around the fires

in the dark will make you

strong and wise.

Outsiders will attack you,

and some follow you,

and at times you will get weary

and turn on each other

from fear and fatigue and

blind forgetfulness.

You have been preparing

for this for hundreds of years.

I am sending you into the wilderness

to make a new way and to learn my ways

more deeply.

Some of you will be so changed

by weathers and wanderings

that even your closest friends

will have to learn your features

as though for the first time.

Some of you will not change at all.

Some will be abandoned

by your dearest loves

and misunderstood by those

who have known you since birth

and feel abandoned by you.

Some will find new friendships

in unlikely faces, and old friends

as faithful and true

as the pillar of God's flame.

Sing songs as you go,

and hold close together.

You may at times grow confused

and lose your way.

Continue to call each other

by the names I've given you,

to help remember who you are.

You will get where you are going

by remembering who you are.

Touch each other and keep telling the stories.

Make maps as you go

remembering the way back

from before you were born.

So you will be only the first

of many waves of deliverance on these desert seas.

It is the first of many beginnings —

your Paschaltide.

Remain true to this mystery.

Pass on the whole story.

Do not go back.

I am with you now

and I am waiting for you

("passover remembered" by alla renee bozarth)

"friendships should be easy."

My mom always says this to me when we are talking about friends and I totally agree with her. Friends should be the ones there for you and supporting you during the hard times in life, not the ones causing the hard times. Nobody deserves to put up with less than they deserve. I love the saying "quality over quantity". This can be hard to follow at times, especially with the mentality that if you don't have a lot of friends or seem like you have a lot of friends, you aren't "cool" or fun to be around. I try to avoid this mentality as much as possible. It's pretty easy for me because I have some of the most amazing friends. I try to make sure that I surround myself with people that respect me and truly look out for me and care for me. Happiness in life should be everyone's main goal for themselves. If people are in your life and they are taking away from this happiness, then they aren't worth it. Live the life you deserve to live. 

happy existence day!

take all the courage you have left.

In a bad mood? Need to be motivated? Blast this full volume.. Works for me very time.

Also, I think this is amazing. Checkkkk it out.

so live your life.

thanksgiving.

As you all know, Thursday was Thanksgiving.  Besides being a time to stuff our faces and spend time with family, it is a time to really think about what you are thankful for in your own life.  As cliche and typical it is, I am most thankful for my family and friends, or just all the people in my life.  My dad has taught me so much about life and how to live it.  He has also taught me how to be a stronger and better person.  For him, I am thankful.  My mom has always been there for me and puts up with me when I am at my best and at my worst.  No matter what, she puts my family and me before herself and does everything she can to help us.  She has listened to me rant on and on about trivial things, while she has much more important things to think about.  She has given me good advice and taught me how to be the best person I could be.  So for her, I am thankful.  My friends have always been there for me no matter what.  They challenge me to be the best person I can be in situations where I want to give up or take the easy route.  They are always so much fun and I know I can completely be myself around them.  Like my mom, they listen to me vent even if what I'm saying doesn't matter and/or doesn't make sense.  They support me and pick me up on days when I'm feeling down.  For all of them I am thankful.  Lastly, I am even thankful for the "friends" who have been less than good to me.  By not always being there for me or not treating me the way I should be treated, they taught me about life and about myself.  Without those experiences, I would not be the same person.  They taught me how not to treat people and how to really appreciate my true friends.  So for them I am thankful.  

i'm embarrassing.

(the reason for it being uploaded on youtube is 3:27 on)

Yes, I used to be obsessed with American Idol, especially that season (woot woot Jason Castro).

got to be true to myself.

byeeee buddy, hope you find your dad.

my friends and I are normal.

i'm on the pursuit of happiness.

“To get up each morning with the resolve to be happy... is to set our own conditions to the events of each day. To do this is to condition circumstances instead of being conditioned by them.”

I admit that I have trouble doing this. It is challenging for me to be able to control my emotions and just focus on what makes me happy and what will make my life the most positive. I tend to have expectations for people that will inevitably make me disappointed, but I can't find a way to control that. This quote describes how I ideally want to look at the world, and how I want to live life. At the moment at least, I tend to keep focusing on the aspects of my life that just get me upset and sad, which just makes me more upset and sadder. I need to change that. It's important to "look back on only what makes you smile" and to not dwell on the past. Don't forget the lessons you've learned through the mistakes in the past, but don't dwell on what you could've done differently. Don't regret anything you've done, you did it for a reason and it will lead you to the person you need to become.

“the more that you read, the more things you will know. the more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

When I was little, I LOVED reading. I was constantly reading a book, even at school when I was supposed to be doing other assignments. I ran into my fourth grade teacher the other day and she asked me if I still loved reading as much as I used to. It made me realize that I never read like I used to anymore. My goal from now on is to start reading again for fun and not just for school. And to actually make time for it. Because in life, it's what you don't do that you regret, not what you do. And who wants to go through life just going through the motions and skipping out on what they really enjoy?

If anyone has any good books to recommend, definitely comment on this!

just do it.

How much would you regret not doing if today was your last day?

"if you don't challenge yourself, you have not lived."